Vanderbilt baseball returned to action at Hawkins Field on Friday for a pair of seven-inning scrimmages against Murray State. The Commodores’ offense and pitching staff both impressed, cruising to a 7-1 win in Game 1 and 10-1 in Game 2.
The pitching was excellent, with the entire staff allowing just 1 earned run in 14 innings, while the offense was led by Brodie Johnston’s two home runs.
Though it was just a scrimmage featuring shortened games, roll-over innings and plenty of backups, Vanderbilt showcased many of the traits that could define its 2026 roster.
Here are some of my key takeaways from the David Williams Fall Classic.
Versatility on Display
Tim Corbin’s Vanderbilt teams have made defensive versatility a staple of their identity over the past several seasons, and that appears to be the case once again in 2026. While the Commodores are loaded with infielders, perhaps their biggest question mark heading into the spring season is the outfield depth. The team’s only true projected starting outfielder is Washington State transfer Logan Johnstone, who slugged a home run to the opposite field in Game 1. Rustan Rigdon could also see time in the outfield, though he’s an infielder by trade. Other options include Braden Holcomb, who has also seen time at first base, and true freshmen Collin Brightwell and Cade Sears, whose defense and speed give them a chance to crack the lineup come springtime.
Vanderbilt used the exhibitions to give players looks in nontraditional positions. Mike Mancini, a natural second baseman, started Game 1 in left field and made a running grab on a slicing ball off the bat of Murray State second baseman Sloan Barrett in the second inning. Rigdon started Game 1 at shortstop — a position he has little collegiate experience at, though he did play there in high school — and showed solid range despite an errant throw in the fifth. The switch-hitting sophomore then started Game 2 in left field. Rigdon joins Johnston and Ryker Waite — who started Game 1 at second base — as potential shortstop options in 2026.
Transfer brothers Logan and Carter Johnstone also showcased their flexibility, with Logan starting in right and left field and Carter starting at first and third base in Games 1 and 2, respectively. Both Johnstone brothers will likely continue to play all around the diamond for Corbin in the Spring.
Aces flash
Austin Nye got the ball for Game 1 and looked sharp in two innings of work. Nye sat at 95-96 mph on his fastball on Friday, up from 93-94 for most of last season. He also showed off an 82-mph slider, which he used frequently to right-handed hitters, along with his typical changeup and curveball. The sophomore walked one and struck out two through two scoreless innings of work, throwing roughly 35 pitches. Nye put on some weight in the offseason and now sits at 210 lbs in his 6-foot-2 frame. Flashing 97 mph at times last season, the right-hander is a very projectable arm who has the name and stuff to develop into a top MLB draft prospect, though he’s not eligible until 2027.
“[Nye thew] strikes,” Corbin said. “[I have] a lot of confidence in him. He’s a very serious kid and a good competitor.”
Connor Fennell took over for Nye in the third inning of Game 1, picking up right where he left off last spring. The junior worked efficiently and effectively, racking up two strikeouts through two innings. Fennell sat 90 mph on his fastball, up a couple of ticks from last season. The junior added 15 lbs in the offseason, perhaps a suggestion that his velocity could spike to the low 90s in the spring. Fennell also flashed his changeup and a slow slider at 72 mph.
“I liked Fennell’s attack,” Corbin said. “I thought it was the best [attack] he’s had this fall.”
While Nye and Fennell both lack the experience that JD Thompson and Cody Bowker brought to the Commodores’ weekend rotation last season, both looked capable of anchoring pitching coach Scott Brown’s rotation in the spring. The other spots in the rotation appear open for competition, with freshman Aiden Stillman and converted relievers Matthew Shorey — who started Game 2 of Friday’s doubleheader — and Alex Kranzler.
Power On?
Vanderbilt found its power stroke against Murray State, hitting five home runs across the 14 innings of play. Johnston led the way with two round-trippers, both demolished over the green monster in left field, while Rigdon, Waite and Logan Johnstone also homered to fuel two comfortable wins.
It’s just fall ball, but this Vanderbilt team appears to have more raw power than it has in the past few seasons. Between Johnston, Braden Holcomb, Colin Barczi and transfers Mack Whitcomb and Max Jensen, the middle of the Commodore order looks formidable. Mancini, now fully recovered from a hamate bone injury that plagued him last season, has also shown promising signs of power so far this Fall. If Vanderbilt can slug a little more under new hitting coach Jason Esposito while still maintaining its signature small ball approach, the Commodores could have one of the SEC’s most balanced offenses.
Waite shining through
Ryker Waite was on base 3-of-7 trips to the plate on Friday and his 4th inning home run in Game 1 came from the left side of the plate and was clanked into the bleachers. Waite has seen most of his time at shortstop in the past, but played second base in Game 1 and looked sharp.
“[Waite] is one of those kids that’s going to find his way on the field,” Corbin said. “He’s aggressive. He’s alert. He’s strong. I really feel like the at bats are pretty disciplined and patient.”
Waite spent this past summer playing for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League, where he slashed .287/.409/.417 across 33 games and was named an all-star. The switch-hitter put on 8 lbs. since last season, and reports from the Cape suggest improved power. The sophomore has excellent hands at shortstop, and if he can hit for average and flash power like he did on Friday, he might be the frontrunner for the starting shortstop job, which would also keep Brodie Johnston at his natural third-base position.
